It might have been a swing for the fences, but Rushville Industry took the shot and nearly poached away one of Western Illinois most successful coaches to helm it's football program.

Brown County's Tom Little told me today that he is staying put in Mount Sterling; this after multiple sources confirmed to KHQA that the Hornet Boss had emerged as the leading candidate to take over the Rocket Program, vacant since Mike Bickerman's resignation earlier this year.

Little didn't offer much insight beyond thanking the Rushville/Industry administration for it's interest and call those people "class acts."

Both logistics and loyalty to his players, I am told, played a a role in his decision to stay; but a source close to Little confirms that after 12 years in Mount Sterling, Tom's interest in the openings was "intensely serious"

No word yet on where Rushville/Industry turns next to fill its Football position.